Sand art is a fun, inexpensive project and the results can be showcased for years to come, whether it's a homemade piece to display at home or a way to spend an afternoon with the kids to explore their creativity. Empty flower vases or glass containers are your palette and a choice of rainbow colors is available. The hardest part is deciding on the design!
Step
Method 1 of 3: Using Colored Sand
Step 1. Plan the required materials
Do you want to make a vase? Terrarium? What color of sand do you want to use? In general, some things look good when a specific color is highlighted. Colored sand can be found at craft supply stores.
- Glass bottle
- Objects such as plants, if desired
- Funnel
- Tools for moving sand, such as a paint brush or spoon
Step 2. Start layering the sand
This is easiest to do if you use a funnel – you can use a real funnel or use a piece of paper (because you can control the size of the tip). Move the funnel towards where the sand should be – uneven layers will look good (and easiest of course).
- The funnel is the simplest tool for creating layers of interesting colors and for creating patterns. And the beauty of sand art is that if something goes wrong, you can start over.
- If the result is not what you expected, use a tool such as a paintbrush to adjust the sand to the correct positions.
Step 3. Add objects as you wish
If you want to make a terrarium, you can add objects such as rocks, plants, or branches to the bottle. Some people like to put stones at the bottom of the bottle, so that when the bottle is lifted, the "roots" will be visible.
You can add a smaller vase or bottle to the bottle and put sand around it. Then you can put something in a smaller vase easily -- and it looks like it's buried in the sand
Step 4. If there is a cork bottle cap, cover the bottle with the lid with hot glue
When the bottle is full and you're happy with this creation, apply a little hot glue to the cork cover (so the glue doesn't spread all over the place) and gently glue it to the bottom.
This isn't really necessary, but the bottle cap will keep the sand from moving around if the vase hits or falls off the shelf
Method 2 of 3: Using Granulated Sugar and Food Coloring
Step 1. Gather the ingredients
The amount of material required is determined by how much work will be made. Here are the materials needed:
- Sugar
- Food coloring
- Glass bottle with cork lid
- Bowl
- Spoon
- Hot glue
Step 2. Put the sugar in a bowl
Separate the sugar into one bowl for each color. Make a little more than necessary. You can use the colored sugar for pastries or desserts later.
Step 3. Add a few drops of food coloring to the sugar and mix with a spoon
Start with a few drops to see how the color appears; then add a few more drops if needed. A drop or two of dye will make the sugar appear darker. Mix well so that the color is even.
- Do the same for all the colors. You will need separate bowls for each color.
- Mix red and yellow to make orange, blue and yellow to make green, and red and blue to make purple.
- Also try to combine two different colors to make a bi-colored sugar.
Step 4. When all the food coloring has been absorbed into the sugar, knead by hand
This will make the colors blend better and the texture even. It's okay to clump, this is normal.
Step 5. Start filling the glass bottles
You'll need different ingredients to make the layers, depending on the size and shape of the bottle. You just need to add the sand – but to make it neater you need a funnel.
- Take a piece of paper shaped into a funnel and use it to feed the sand. Alternatively, you can use a straw or other similar tool. If the sand isn't set perfectly, you can smooth it out with the tip of a spoon or toothpick.
- Try making patterns; Using a funnel is the easiest way. Try tilting a bottle or vase and coating the edges with sand.
Step 6. Apply hot glue to the bottle with the cork cap
When the bottle is full, apply hot glue to the bottom of the cap and the rim of the bottle. Put the cork cap on the bottle and let it dry for 5 minutes.
The glue is really hot! Be careful not to touch it. Once the bottle is closed, the artwork is ready to be exhibited
Method 3 of 3: Using Sand and Gel Dye
Step 1. Gather all the necessary materials
While it's easiest to use sugar and food coloring, you'll notice that you can get a lighter, brighter color from the sand and gel dye. Toy sand (darker sand is better for darker colors) can be found at any hardware or pet store for an affordable price. In addition to these two materials, you will also need:
- Bowl of hot water
- Glass container or flower vase
- Flowers (optional)
Step 2. Dissolve food coloring in hot water
Each color requires its own bowl of hot water. Not boiling water, but hot – microwave a bowl of water for 1 minute and that's enough. You will need about 1-3 spoonfuls of gel coloring per bowl (depending on how bright you want the color to be).
Paint. Liquid tempera paint can also be used, you just need to remove the water and do it slowly when the paint is mixed with sand
Step 3. Put the sand in the bowls and pour the water
It may take 1 part water to 3 parts sand. If the water is more than that, the sand probably won't absorb the liquid.
Stir until the color is thoroughly mixed and evenly coated with the sand – using an egg beater may be better. The texture of the sand should be thick and not too runny
Step 4. Dry the sand
This can be done in two ways:
- Drain excess liquid. Then lay out the sand on a baking sheet to dry overnight.
- Alternatively, place a baking sheet filled with sand in the oven at 200°C for 10-15 minutes or until dry.
Step 5. Design the sand art
With the sand already dry, you can get to work right away. Take out a glass bottle or flower vase and arrange the colored sand in a bowl. Here are some pointers:
- Use a piece of paper or a straw that acts as a funnel. This tool will direct the sand so that it is arranged precisely and evenly. Layer it up, tilting the vase if necessary to create interesting designs.
- Use the handle of a spoon, paint brush, or other small, thin tool to move any sand that doesn't reach the desired position.
- If you like, put a small vase into a larger vase. Then put sand around it, and flowers in a smaller vase. This gives the illusion of flowers embedded in the sand, when in fact they are in a vase full of water.
Tips
- If you want the colors of the sugar in the bottle to appear squiggly, you can use a skewer or something and move the sugar slowly.
- If there's a theme for a birthday party or other event, you can buy stickers and stick them on the glass bottle.
